Anton R. Gustafson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Anton R. Gustafson
ANTON R. GUSTAFSON. One of the prominent men in the Republican party, and one generally popular for his large hearted and kindly nature, is Anton R. Gustafson, the present trustee of Westchester township. He began the course of his mortal life on a farm in this same township on February 19, 1861. His parents were Adolph and Clara (Swanson) Gustafson, both natives of Sweden. The father was born in 1835 and is now living at Quincy, Massachusetts, which was the place in which he first settled upon coming to America. He was married in Porter county in the year 1857. Besides being a farmer, Mr. Gustafson was also a minister, and also had a general store in Chesterton. Withal he found time to be active in the councils of the Republican party, and served as road superintendent. In 1890 he left Indiana for Massachusetts, where he has since resided.
Anton Gustafson was one of twelve children, and until he was of age, be worked on his father's farm. He then began clerking in a general store, and during Harrison's administration, he was deputy postmaster. In 1894 he was elected recorder of Porter county and four years later was again returned for the same office, serving eight years and two months. In 1908 the township selected him as its trustee and he is holding that office at the present time (1912). As trustee Mr. Gustafson has seven schools and twenty-three teachers under his jurisdiction, more than any other trustee in Porter county. His frequent election to office is a testimonial not only of his popularity but also of his efficiency as a public official. He has discharged the duties of every post where his constituents have placed him in a manner which has elicited universal commendation and satisfaction. He is a man who is at once liberal in his views, and scrupulously upright in his dealings. In the business enterprises of the city, Mr. Gustafson is owner of a half-interest in the Chesterton-Porter Ice Company.
Mr. Gustafson wedded Miss Rose Thomas December 31, 1894, and to this marriage have been born four children, one son and three daughters, all living. They are: Raymond Thomas, who graduated from the public school in the class of 1911, and is now a student in the Chesterton high school; Mildred G. is in the seventh grade of the public school and has taken musical instruction; Mary C. is in the fifth grade; Lois is in the second grade and is the youngest of the family. Mrs. Gustafson is a daughter of John and Jane (Scott) Thomas, both parents being deceased. There were three children in the Thomas family, two sons and one daughter, and one of the sons is deceased. Those living are Mrs. Gustafson and her brother Louis, who is a resident of Ontario, California, and is an horticulturist. Mrs. Gustafson was born in Chesterton, Indiana, March 4. 1869, and was educated in the common schools and spent two years in the Valparaiso high school. She is an honored member of the Chesterton Eastern Star and also a member of the L. O. T. M. of Chesterton. She is a most cordial lady, a faithful wife and a loving mother, and she is always ready with her genial husband to cordially greet their many friends in their beautiful home. It was in 1904 that they erected their modern residence, which is one of the several beautiful homes of Chesterton.
Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson are interested members of the Presbyterian church and supporters of all its various activities. Mr. Gustafson belongs to the Knights of the Tented Maccabees.
It is not only in Westchester township that Mr. Gustafson is known as a man who renders faithful service as a public office holder, and who is all that could be desired as a friend and neighbor, but throughout all of Porter county, his acquaintance and his reputation alike have extended. As chairman of the Republican committee of the township, he has been identified with the organization work of the party in the county, and here, as in whatever he engages, his admirable qualities of disposition and character have made him most valuable to the cause for which he was working.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 859-860
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook